Snatch-block.



PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

N. FERGUSON. SNATGH BLOCK.

APPLIUATIOH FILED JAN. 22. 1906.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1906.

Application filed January 22, 1906. fierial No. 297,232.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON FERGUSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ben Avon, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Snatch-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a snatch-block, and particularly to means for opening and closing the head of the block for insertion and removal of the line with respect to the pulley. The head is fastened on the block by a hinge and opens by the withdrawal of a keeper-pin from a part of the head and body of the block, the said keeper-pin being particularly grooved or slotted and engaged by a spline or key projection which operates to prevent the said pin from bein entirely removed from the head when the atter is opened and dis-' penses with the use of a chain or analogous device to hold the keeper-pin in connection with the block or head.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a snatch-block embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation thereof, showing the head open and thrown back. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken through the portion of the head which en ages the body of the block and particular y illustratin the keeper-pin and its construction, the eeper-pin being shown in- 1serted in full lines and Withdrawn in dotted mes.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a block having the usual construction and inclosing a grooved pulley 2. Extending upwardlyover the center of the opposite sides of the body are reinforce straps or bars 3, having knuckles 4 formed at their upper ends. A head 5 is hinged to one of the knuckles 1 by a hingebolt 6 and is removably connected to the op posite knuckle by a withdrawable keeper-pin 7. The head 5 is slotted or recessed, as at 8, at opposite points to embrace the knuckles and has a swiveled suspending-hook 9 connected to the center of the upper portion thereof.

One of the ears 10, engaged by the keeperpin 7, has a spline projection 11 projecting into the pin-opening 12 thereof and is preferably located at the upper part of the wall of said opening. The keeper-pin, as clearly shown by Fig. 3, has a head 13 at one end,

provided with a grip l4, and extending cir cumferentially around the same close to the head is a locking-groove 15, witlrwhich the spline projection 11 engages when the pin is fully inserted through the portions of the head and knuckle 4 with which it engages. The pin 7 also has a longitudinal groove 16 communicating at one terminal with the groove 15 and at the opposite terminal having an abrupt wall 17 in such position that when in contact with the spline projection 11 the pin will be prevented from becoming accidentally disenga ed from the head, but will clear the knuc kle 4, through which it is normally inserted. When the pin is fully in serted and turned to throw the groove 16 out of alinement with the spline projection 11, accidental separation of the head or opening movement thereof with respect to the block is obstructed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a very simple means for releasing and securing the head 5 is provided and that the necessary strength of the pin 7 is not in the least impaired by forming therein the groove set forth. Furthermore, the pin is always in position for operation and in connection with I the block without requirin the use of a chain or analogous device for holding the same to the block.

Havin thus fully described the invention, what is c aimed as new is- 1. In a snatch-block, the combination of a body having a projection, a head hinged to the body, and a pin for separably holding the head to the body and having longitudinal and circumferential grooves which are engaged by the projection of the latter, the said pin being retained in connection with the head when the latter is opened.

2. In a block of the class set forth, the combination with a body having a pulley therein, of a hinged head having an opening in one side with a spline projection therein, the said opening being arranged to coincide with an opening in a part of the body, and a longi tudinally and circumferentially grooved pin slidably mounted in the opening having a spline projection, the latter when in engagement with the circumferential groove operating to prevent outward movement of the pin and when in en agement with one terminal of the longitu inal groove obstructing separation of the pin from the head.

3. In a block of the class set forth, the combination of a body having a pulley therein.

the body at the upper portions of the sides being provided with knuckles, a head hinged to one of said knuckles and separably connected to the opposite knuckle, a portion of the head separably cooperating ith-the one knuckle having an opening in a portion there of with a spline projection extending thereinto, and a keeper-pin Inovably disposed in the portion of the head and, the knuckle in separable relation, said keeper-pin having a circumferential groove close to one end and nesses.

, NELSON FERGUSON. Witnesses H. S. LYDICK, MARY DEnLY. 

